Etihad Airways appoints first female Emirati airport manager

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has appointed the first Emirati female airport manager in Japan.

Based in Nagoya, Fatima Al Kharousi will
be responsible for overseeing the airline’s operations at Chubu Centrair
International Airport and the smooth operation and five times a week service
between Abu Dhabi and Nagoya.

Fatima joined Etihad Airways in 2009 as
part of the Graduate Management Program, a structured 18 month training
initiative that develops talented Emiratis who are carefully selected and
trained in all aspects of airline operations.

After successfully completing the
program, Fatima spent two years building up her experience of airport
operations and was posted as Airport Duty Manager to a number of outstations
across the airline’s fast growing global network, including London, Manchester,
and Singapore.

Fatima was then appointed as Assistant
Airport Manager in Australia where she has been responsible for overseeing the
smooth operations at Sydney’s International Airport.

Chris Youlten, Etihad Airways’ Senior
Vice President Airport Operations, said: “Fatima has demonstrated a strong
understanding of airport operations and has a track record of performing
consistently and to the highest standards. We are confident that she is the
ideal candidate to lead our operations in one of Japan’s busiest airports.”

As part of developing the UAE national
workforce and offering them the opportunity to gain international working
experience, Etihad Airways had recently deployed more than 190 UAE
nationals to various positions at the airline’s offices and airport
destinations across the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas.

Commenting on her appointment, Fatima
said:” I am excited to take on this new and challenging role to act as the
focal point for all Etihad Airways’ operations in Nagoya.

“I am thankful to Etihad Airways, for the
excellent training opportunities as well as the support and encouragement that
they have continuously provided me with and which has helped me while I was out
stationed abroad, experiencing new cultures and being away from my family and
friends.

Female employees make up 42 per cent of
Etihad Airways’ workforce and this includes more than 130 Emirati women in the
airline’s various management development programs, 34 pilots, 32 technical
engineers and 49 females deployed in overseas positions across the airline’s
global network.

Ray Gammell, Chief People and Performance
Officer, said: “As the national airline of the United Arab Emirates we are
committed to growing and developing a highly qualified cadre of UAE Nationals –
both female and male.

“We especially value the contributions
that Emirati women make to our business and the important role they play in the
day to day operations of the airline. We are particularly proud of Fatima whose
hard work and dedication has led her to be entrusted with the critical role of
airport manager in one of Japan’s busiest airports.”

Fatima added: “I am proud of what I have accomplished so far and I am
delighted to be the first Emirati woman to be trusted with the management of
such an important airport. I look forward to taking on this new challenge and I
am sure it will offer me the opportunity to grow and further develop myself professionally.
I also hope that my accomplishment encourages many of my Emirati sisters to
push the boundaries and reach their goals.”